Rodding machine



J. E. DUFRESNE July 18, 1950 v RODDING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledJan. 8, 1947 hm Wm INN July 18, 1950 J. E. DUFRESNE RODDING MACHINE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan; 8, 1947 IN VEN 70R,

wzaww ATTO/QA/EY Patented July 18, i950 UNl-TED' STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RODDING MACHINE J osephEugene Dufresne, Beaconsfield, Quebec,

Canada Application January s, 1947, Serial No. 720,342

. 2 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in rod ding machines, as describedin the present specification and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings that form a part of the same.

The invention consists essentially of the novel features of constructionas pointed out broadly and specifically in the claims for noveltyfollowing a description containing an explanation in detail of anacceptable form of the invention.

' The objects of the invention are to provide a rodding machine whichwill facilitate leading flexible rods,wires and the like, through anylength of tubing, piping or ducts; to devise a rodding machine adapted'to travel through tubing or piping, having bends in same, or consistingof elbows and'the like; to construct a rodding machine which maybedriven through tubing or piping by any pressure means such as airpressure, hydraulic pressure and the like; to pro vide a rodding machinesimple in construction and inexpensive to'manufacture; to facilitate thethreading of wiring through conduit pipes in buildings and underground;to provide a rodding machine in which the various parts are readilyaccessible for inspection or repair; to devise a rodding machine whichis simple and easy to operate; and generally to provide a roddingmachine which will be durable and efilcient for its purpose.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a part side sectional view showing the rodding machine readyfor use in a tube.

. Figure 2 is a, sectional view as taken on the line 22 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view as taken on the line 3-3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the rodding machine as taken on the line4-4 in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the rodding machine as taken on the line5-5 in Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an end view of the rodding machine as taken on the line 6-6in Figure 1.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the variousfigures.

Referring to the drawings, the carrier of the rodding machine consistsof the end members as indicated by the numerals l and H. The centersupport member I2 is secured at each end thereof to the end members Inand II, these end members being flat circular discs or plates fittedover each end of the support member and forming the ends of the carrier.The tie rods |3, l4, l and I6 are suitably spaced and secured to the endmembers Ill and II near the periphery of same. The center support memberl2 in cooperation with the tie rods l3, l4, l5 and I6 The movable bars2| are turned down on each end thereof to form pin-like projections. Theends of these movable bars are supported in the radial slots 28 in theend members In and H, thus permitting the same to move inward andoutward with respect to the carrier, but-being non-rotatable therein.The lateral pins 29 and 30 are fixedly secured in the inner face of themovable bars 2| towards each end thereof. The compression springs 3| and32 are'held in position on the pins 29 and 30, respectively, and theinner ends of these springs are held substantially in position in therecesses 33 and 34 in the center support member l2. In this manner themovable bars 2| are held in an extreme outward position in the slots 28in the end members l6 and H "by means of pressure exerted on same by thecompression springs 3| and 32. The compression springs 3| and 32 are ofa suitable strength to hold the movable bars 2| in an out ward position,and at the same time, permit these movable bars to be retracted inwardlyas the wheels of same are subjected to shock and outward pressure as thecarrier travels through bends and the like in the ducts.

The end member II has the strap 3'5 attached thereto, thus providing ameans for connecting the cord 36 to the carrier of the rodding machine.

The plug member 31 is adapted to be used in co-operation with thecarrier of the rodding machine. In this respect the carrier is adaptedto travel through tubes, ducts and the like, while the plug member isadapted to fit securely in one end of the same. The end members l0 andII must be of sufficiently smaller diameter or area than that of theduct, so as to compensate for the carrier passing through turns in theduct, the space between the end member and the duct being comparativelynarrow.

The plug member 31 consists of a resilient plug 38 which may be made ofrubber or any other suitable material. The nipple or tubular member 39.which is threaded on both ends thereof.

is adapted to extend through the central portion of the plug 38. Thenuts 4!) and ll are threaded on the nipple 39 and engage the outersurfaces of the plug 38. As these nuts are tightened on the nipple 39the plug 38 is compressed, thus expanding the same diametrically so asto substantially grip the inner wall of the tube 32.

The nipple 39 is connected to the pressure tank 43 by means of the hoseconnection 44.

The small tube 45 extends through the lower portion of the plug 38 andprovides an aperture through which the cord 36 passes. The cord 36 maybe of any suitable length and connected to the flexible rod or wire 46.

In the operation of the invention the flexible rod or wire which isdestined to be accommodated in the tube or duct is connected to asuitable length of cord 36. The valve 4'! on the pressure tank 43 isthen opened. The pressure from this tank passes through the nipple 39,thus entering the tube or duct 42. As the pressure strikes the carrierof the rodding machine, it forces the same through the tube or duct 42.As the carrier passes through bends and elbows in the duct 42, thewheels 22 and 23 on each of the outriggers I"! follow the inner surfaceof the walls of the duct at all times.

When the carrier reaches the end of the duct 42 it is removed therefromand the cord 36 is manually drawn therethrough, thus pulling theflexible rod or wire into the duct.

It will be seen from the foregoing that a device has been provided thatwill facilitate the placing of flexible rods, wires and the like, withintubes, pipes or ducts having various shaped bends in same.

What I claim is:

1. In a rodding machine, a carrier comprising a center support member, acircular end member fixedly secured to each end of said center supportmember, tie rods connecting said end members to one another near theperiphery thereof, Outriggers adapted to guide said carrier throughducts and the like, said circular end members being of sufficientlysmaller diameter than that of the duct adapting the members to passthrough turns therein, each of said outriggers consisting of a baradapted to move radially of the duct, a pair of wheels rotatablysupported in each of said bars, pin-like projections on each end of saidbars engaging in radial slots ineach of said end members and beingmovable therein, permitting each of said bars to move inward and outwardwith respect to said center support member but being non-rotatable inthe slots, a compression spring located between said center supportmembers and each of said outriggers adjacent the 4 ends thereof, one endof said spring bein contained in a recess in said center support member,a pin extending outward from said outrigger adapted to hold the otherend of said spring in abutment with said outrigger, said compressionsprings extending outward from said center support and adapted to exertoutward pressure on said outriggers, and a cord being connected to saidcarrier and to a length of flexible rod.

2.'In-a rodding machine, a carrier comprising a longitudinal centersupport member, end members fixedly secured to said longitudinal centersupport member, each of said end members comprising a flat circular discfitted over each and r of said support member, tie rods connected tosaid end members near the periphery thereof, outriggers adapted to guidesaid carrier through ducts and the like, each of said outriggersconsisting of a movable bar, said movable bar having a pair of slots inthelsame, wheels rotatably mounted in the slots, in saidmovable bars,,pinlike projections on eachend of said movable bar adapted tobe movablysupported in radial slots in said end members, thus permittingsaidmovable bar to move inward and outward with respect to saidlongitudinal; center support member and radially of the duct, said.pin-like projections being so dimensioned as to prevent rotation in the.slotsof said 'bars compression springs located between saidlongitudinal center support member and said movablebars and being inabutment therewith and ;-adapted to exert lateral outward pressure oneach of said movable bars, said movable bars being normally;parallelwith respect to .said longitudinal centersupport member andsimultaneously parallel-with one another, each of said-end membersbeingof asufilciently, smaller area than that of the duct adapting theend-members to pass through turns inthe duct, a strap attached/to one,ofsaid end members, and a cord connected to. said-strap and adapted tolead a flexible rodthrough the ducts accom modating said carrier.-

JOSEPH EUGENE DUFRESNE.

I R FERENcEsoITEn The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent: I i v H UNITED STATES PA'I'E NTS Number- ,,Name Date,

252,956 .-Loane Jan. 31,1852 443,823 :Cope Dec. 30, 1890 1,620,788Thompson Mar. 15, 1927 Jessup ..;........1 Mar. 29,- 1932

